COVID-19 Support for Survivors of Domestic Abuse
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COVID-19 Support for Survivors of Domestic Abuse
The social and economic impact of COVID-19 is unprecedented and has left many of us wondering how to prepare for the upcoming months. In response to the requests by the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, quarantining has become the norm, with many of us staying home to keep safe and to reduce the spread of the pandemic. Unfortunately, abuse is reported as a direct outcome of quarantining during this time. As CTV reports, “Victims of domestic violence are experiencing a greater threat as many are confined to their homes with their abusers” (CTV News, Domestic violence increases with 'stay home' pandemic response, April 06, 2020), with higher levels of stress and tension in play. This is why there is an increased prevalence of domestic violence correlated to pandemics.
ISEE INITIATIVE (ISEEI) understands that there is an urgency within our communities to support survivors of domestic violence, by ensuring that they are able to leave their homes safely, if necessary, and have adequate resources to support their immediate needs during this pandemic. As a result of COVID-19, there is an overwhelming burden on shelters, food banks and other community initiatives that typically provide survivors of domestic violence with resources for immediate needs after their escape from abusive homes. According to CityNews (Toronto), calls to shelters within the GTA have doubled since the pandemic. In Toronto alone, there have been over 1,962 calls since March 01, 2020 (CityNews Toronto). Availability and accessibility to In-person support and services are also limited.
There has been a specific call-out for help within the Tamil community as individuals find it increasingly difficult to report and/or escape abusive situations at home due to lack of awareness, language barriers, financial instability or dependency, mistrust in government services, stigma of using shelter services, and concerns of the impact on children.
Therefore, at this time, ISEEI seeks to raise funds to support survivors of domestic violence within the Tamil Community who are in dire need of basic necessities (e.g. food, transportation, hygiene products).
ISEEI urges social services, community agencies and community members within the Toronto and Greater Toronto Area to refer individuals and families who are survivors of domestic violence, or currently experiencing abuse within their homes to ISEEI in order for these individuals and families to receive financial assistance from this campaign. In an effort to ensure that only individuals in need are provided with the support, ISEEI will be prioritizing referrals from social service and community agencies. Once funds are available, support will be provided on a needs-basis.
We understand that these are difficult times for everyone, and that the economic uncertainty is daunting for most of us. Every donation counts. We thank you in advance for your support during this critical time.
When you donate to ISEE INITIATIVE, you’ll be supporting survivors of domestic violence and their families with:
- childcare;
- food;
- transit;
- safety and cleaning supplies;
- operational costs (rent, utilities);
- digitization of services for physical distancing; and
- continued rehabilitation.
This GoFundMe is organized by ISEE INITIATIVE.
ISEE INITIATIVE is a non-profit organization based in Toronto with an aim to provide education and create awareness about domestic violence among all individuals in order to overcome socio-cultural barriers and offer multi-level support in the empowerment and rehabilitation of domestic violence victims.
The social and economic impact of COVID-19 is unprecedented and has left many of us wondering how to prepare for the upcoming months. In response to the requests by the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, quarantining has become the norm, with many of us staying home to keep safe and to reduce the spread of the pandemic. Unfortunately, abuse is reported as a direct outcome of quarantining during this time. As CTV reports, “Victims of domestic violence are experiencing a greater threat as many are confined to their homes with their abusers” (CTV News, Domestic violence increases with 'stay home' pandemic response, April 06, 2020), with higher levels of stress and tension in play. This is why there is an increased prevalence of domestic violence correlated to pandemics.
ISEE INITIATIVE (ISEEI) understands that there is an urgency within our communities to support survivors of domestic violence, by ensuring that they are able to leave their homes safely, if necessary, and have adequate resources to support their immediate needs during this pandemic. As a result of COVID-19, there is an overwhelming burden on shelters, food banks and other community initiatives that typically provide survivors of domestic violence with resources for immediate needs after their escape from abusive homes. According to CityNews (Toronto), calls to shelters within the GTA have doubled since the pandemic. In Toronto alone, there have been over 1,962 calls since March 01, 2020 (CityNews Toronto). Availability and accessibility to In-person support and services are also limited.
There has been a specific call-out for help within the Tamil community as individuals find it increasingly difficult to report and/or escape abusive situations at home due to lack of awareness, language barriers, financial instability or dependency, mistrust in government services, stigma of using shelter services, and concerns of the impact on children.
Therefore, at this time, ISEEI seeks to raise funds to support survivors of domestic violence within the Tamil Community who are in dire need of basic necessities (e.g. food, transportation, hygiene products).
ISEEI urges social services, community agencies and community members within the Toronto and Greater Toronto Area to refer individuals and families who are survivors of domestic violence, or currently experiencing abuse within their homes to ISEEI in order for these individuals and families to receive financial assistance from this campaign. In an effort to ensure that only individuals in need are provided with the support, ISEEI will be prioritizing referrals from social service and community agencies. Once funds are available, support will be provided on a needs-basis.
We understand that these are difficult times for everyone, and that the economic uncertainty is daunting for most of us. Every donation counts. We thank you in advance for your support during this critical time.
When you donate to ISEE INITIATIVE, you’ll be supporting survivors of domestic violence and their families with:
- childcare;
- food;
- transit;
- safety and cleaning supplies;
- operational costs (rent, utilities);
- digitization of services for physical distancing; and
- continued rehabilitation.
This GoFundMe is organized by ISEE INITIATIVE.
ISEE INITIATIVE is a non-profit organization based in Toronto with an aim to provide education and create awareness about domestic violence among all individuals in order to overcome socio-cultural barriers and offer multi-level support in the empowerment and rehabilitation of domestic violence victims.
Organizer
ISEE INITIATIVE
Organizer
Toronto, ON